Page 130 of Somehow You Knew

“Of course. Ask away.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you?”

My question catches her off-guard. “Wow. Well, the best thing you can do is make sure he keeps his appointments with me for regular checkups and scans, and that he’s honest with both of us about how he’s feeling on a day-to-day basis.”

“Done. Next, are there any activities that Gage should avoid so he doesn’t risk having another episode?”

Gage rolls his eyes but Dr. Miranda laughs. “As long as Gage listens to his body, he should be all right to participate in most forms of exercise within reason. The medication he’s on will help manage his symptoms, but it’s not a cure.”

“I think Hazel is concerned about my ability to have sex, Doc.”

I smack his chest. “Gage!”

The doctor laughs. “She has every right to be concerned, but with the new medication, hopefully we won’t have any more dizzy spells.”

“And this is the new medication? How long will it take for us to know it’s effective?” I ask, focusing my attention back on Gage’s doctor, mentally taking note of how I’m going to get back at him for making me look like a pervert in front of her.

Dr. Miranda slides her eyes to Gage. “I like her.”

“I knew you would,” Gage replies, squeezing my hand. “Hazel, babe—”

“No,” I cut him off. “I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can and know as much as possible to keep you healthy, Gage. Okay?” I lift my phone from my pocket. “I’ve already set an alarm to remind you to take your medication.”

He leans forward, cups the side of my face, and rubs his nose against mine. “I love you.”

I press a short kiss to his lips and then face Dr. Miranda again. “Continue, please.”

She chuckles. “The new medication may take a few months to take full effect. Some things to look out for are dizziness, of course, fainting spells, lack of energy, rapid heart rate. Also, his alcohol intake should be minimal.”

“Are you recruiting her to be my babysitter now?” Gage asks.

I whip my head in his direction. “Absolutely.”

“You should have known that this was going to happen, Gage,” Dr. Miranda says. “When you have someone who cares about you, they take responsibility for your well-being too.”

“Don’t worry. This man won’t be able to so much as breathe without me checking on him from now on,” I say, making both of them laugh.

The ironic thing is that sitting here and learning about what our life will look like together is actually making it easier for me to breathe, knowing that together, we can keep Gage healthy.

Chapter twenty-six

Gage

“Once I get started, you know there’s no backing out.”

Hazel rolls her eyes at me in the mirror as she lies on her side on my table. “I’m aware.”

“And the ribs? You’re sure that’s where you want it? Kind of an intense spot for your first tattoo.” I stretch the latex gloves over my hands as I stare down at her. My wife is letting me give her the first tattoo she’ll ever have, and there’s something about this moment that is making me fall in love with her even more.

Maybe it’s how much trust she’s putting in me. Maybe it’s the fact that my art will be on her body for the rest of our lives.

Or maybe it’s the fact that the tattoo I’m about to give her is a way to bring this whole story of ours full circle.

“I’m not scared,” she says, making me laugh. “I can handle pain, remember?”

Memories of me spanking her among other various activities come to mind. I waggle my eyebrows at her. “Oh, I’m aware.”

She shoves me. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Gage Kingston.”